Top 20 Most Rarely Seen Natural Phenomena

These rare opticalphenomena appear as tubular clouds that can stretch for hundreds of miles across the sky, typically over dry regions with cool air aloft and warm air near the surface. They are caused by wind shear and are usually observed in the fall season. The longest recorded morning glory cloud was 4,600 km (2,865 mi) long. Morning glory clouds were first described in 1836 by British astronomer John Herschel.

This mysterious natural phenomenon appears as a glowing, floating sphere or bolt of light during thunderstorms, often causing damage and disruption. The exact causes of ball lightning are still unknown, but theories include atmospheric electrical discharges and electromagnetic pulses. There have been reported cases of ball lightning worldwide since ancient times. One of the earliest written records of ball lightning is from Chinese philosopher Mozi in 385 BC.

Also known as lunar rainbows or glories, these appear at night when the Moon is full and is shining brightly through water droplets in the air, creating a colorful ring around the Moon's shadow on the ground. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions to occur. The most spectacular moonbows have been observed in India during the monsoon season.

Also known as "ice discs" or "ice spirals," these circular, flat pieces of ice form when a block of ice breaks off from a glacier and rotates in the water, eventually freezing into a ring-like shape. They are rare because they need to form under specific conditions involving wind shear and cold water temperatures. The world's largest known ice circle measured over 36 meters (117 ft) in diameter.

These rare phenomena appear as large tornadoes that form over the ocean, typically after thunderstorms. They are relatively short-lived because they usually dissipate quickly when they come into contact with land or other bodies of water. The world's longest recorded waterspout lasted for 8 hours and covered a distance of 180 km (112 mi).

These colorful, glowing streaks appear in the sky after lightning strikes dry vegetation, often in areas with high levels of moisture and wind. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions to occur. The most spectacular fire tails have been observed in Indonesia during the dry season.

Certain species of fungi, like Armillaria mellea (honey mushroom), emit a bright, glowing effect due to a chemical reaction involving hydrogen peroxide and chitin. They are relatively rare because they grow in specific environments with high humidity and temperature stability. The world's largest known glowing mushroom was over 3 meters (10 ft) in diameter.

Also known as "sun dogs" or "mock suns," these appear as bright, colorful rings around the Sun when sunlight passes through ice crystals in the atmosphere at a precise angle. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions to occur. The brightest recorded ice halo had a diameter of over 100 km (62 mi).

These unusual cloud formations appear as rounded, pouch-like protrusions hanging from the base of thunderstorm clouds. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions involving strong updrafts and downdrafts. The most spectacular mammatus clouds have been observed in Brazil during the summer months.

This bright, glowing phenomenon appears on pointed objects during thunderstorms, often at high latitudes. It is caused by electrical charges building up on the object and then discharging into the air. The exact causes of St. Elmo's fire are still not fully understood. One of the earliest recorded cases of St. Elmo's fire occurred in 1786.

These appear as bright, glowing columns extending from the horizon to the sky when sunlight or artificial light passes through ice crystals in the atmosphere at a precise angle. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions involving cold temperatures and high humidity. The brightest recorded light pillar had a height of over 1 km (0.62 mi).

These mysterious, glowing lights appear as faint orbs or streaks during thunderstorms, often in rural areas with low light pollution. Their exact causes are still unknown, but theories include atmospheric electrical discharges and optical effects involving the Earth's ionosphere. The most reported cases of ghost lights have been observed in the United States.

This rare phenomenon occurs when two different aurora displays (green and red) converge into a single display, creating a spectacular, multicolored light show in the sky. It is relatively rare because it requires specific atmospheric conditions involving solar activity and geomagnetic storms. The most spectacular aurora conjunction has been observed in Norway.

These appear as frozen lakes or ponds made entirely of dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) during extremely cold winters, often in areas with high humidity. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions involving low temperatures and high humidity. The world's largest known dry ice lake measured over 1 million square meters.

These appear as spherical formations of dew that cling to small twigs or grass blades, creating a large number of tiny spheres in close proximity to each other. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions involving high humidity and cool temperatures. The most spectacular morning dew clusters have been observed in Japan.

Also known as "sun halos," these appear as bright, colorful rings around the Sun when sunlight passes through ice crystals in the atmosphere at a precise angle. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions involving cold temperatures and high humidity. The brightest recorded sun dog had a diameter of over 170 km (106 mi).

These rare atmospheric phenomena appear as rotating columns of steam that rise from the ground, often after rainfall or in areas with high humidity. They are relatively short-lived because they dissipate quickly when they come into contact with land or other bodies of water. The world's largest recorded steam devil reached a height of over 1 km (0.62 mi).

These appear as rolling waves or tubes within morning glory clouds, often in areas with high levels of wind shear and cool air aloft. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions involving strong updrafts and downdrafts. The longest recorded morning glory cloud wave was 1,500 km (932 mi) long.

These appear as glowing, cylindrical formations of light that move horizontally through the sky during thunderstorms, often in areas with high levels of wind shear and moisture. They are relatively rare because they require specific atmospheric conditions involving strong updrafts and downdrafts. The most spectacular light jets have been observed in South America.

These rare cloud formations appear as bright, glowing streaks or wisps in the sky at high latitudes during summer months, often after solar sunrise. They are caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere that are illuminated by sunlight. The most spectacular noctilucent clouds have been observed over Alaska and Greenland.